Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Introduction to LinkedIn

Looking for a new job or trying to stay on top of your game? Yes. Then, one of the easiest ways to accomplish this is this to maintain a professional profile online and the best way to accomplish this is with LinkedIn.

What is LinkedIn?

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with over 175 million members and growing rapidly. LinkedIn connects you to your trusted contacts and helps you exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities with a broader network of professionals. LinkedIn gives you the keys to controlling your online identity. Have you Googled yourself lately? You never know what may come up. LinkedIn profiles rise to the top of search results, letting you control the first impression people get when searching for you online.

Getting started with LinkedIn

So how does one get started? Simple, start with the basics. Fill out your professional information, import a new headshot and reach out to all relevant current and former colleagues, clients and classmates.Insider Tips to Making LinkedIn Work for You

According to Krista Canfield, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications at LinkedIn and Nicole Williams, Connection Director for the company, the following are their best suggestions for maximum efficiency when using the site:

• Stop by regularly: Don’t just stop by when you are glossing over your profile. The site is interactive. Make use of it. “Your LinkedIn homepage is a customizable, one-stop shop for finding all the business insights you need to conquer your workday. You can read the top industry headlines from Linkedn Today, search for new clients and find out who in your network got promoted while drinking your coffee,” says Canfield. If you see that someone has updated their profile, you can “like” it – a professional version of the same Facebook tool.(CBSMoney Watch)

• Follow company pages: “More than two million companies Apple and Google, have LinkedIn company pages. Follow LinkedIn Company Pages for automatic updates on your homepage when people leave or join the companies you’re interested in, when those companies post jobs, or when they share news on LinkedIn,” suggests Williams. This feature is key to staying in the know with minimal effort – in other words, making LinkedIn work for you, even when you are not actually looking for information.(CBSMoney Watch)

• Use LinkedIn Answers: This function allows you to access the large LinkedIn network as well as find information you want, customized for you. “Responses link back to profiles, so many LinkedIn members use Answers as an opportunity to promote their expertise with high quality, well-thought-out responses,” says Williams. So, not only do you get answers, but you can network, naturally and efficiently.